A NANTWICH company is ending the year on a high after scooping another major contract.

Environmental specialists Suddenstrike has fended off competition from companies across the country to provide wildlife safety control measures on railway embankments along the Great Northern and Great Eastern line in Lincolnshire.

It means more new jobs will be created at the firm which was founded by father-of-two Steve Wilkinson in 1997 with just one van.

Now with a workforce of 11 and a fleet of 10 vans and trucks the family business is providing pest control, wildlife management and groundwork services to homes and firms across the country.

This year it also won a contract to provide repair and improvement services to Weaver Vale Housing Trust in Northwich. That came hot on the heels of a two-year countrywide contract with DEFRA.

Staff numbers have increased from seven to 11 and in the New Year another three jobs are being created for pest control technicians and a grounds worker to boost the new drains repair arm to its business.

Mr Wilkinson, who runs the business with his son and daughter, James and Emily, will also be investing £60,000 in new vehicles.

Emily said: “This has been a phenomenally busy year and while we have become a national name in pest control, groundwork and wildlife management, we are very much committed to our local roots. The phrase ‘no job is too small’ is our mantra and we always aim to recruit staff locally.”